Album

In the 1960s, performances of Classical-era symphonies with George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra were surprisingly close to the ideals of authentic period performance practice, as these recordings of the first six of Haydn's London Symphonies demonstrate. The tone is lean and light, but with plenty of power and weight when necessary, and the tempos are propulsive in quick movements, poised in slow movements, and irresistible in dance movements. Naturally, the modern instruments' colors are different from period instrument colors; the woodwinds brighter, the brass more brilliant, and the strings more rounded, but the effect is remarkably similar to that of later period instruments orchestras.

Szell's intellectual and emotional lucidity, and the Cleveland Orchestra's virtuoso playing and enthusiastic performances create practically perfect Haydn, a combination of wit, tenderness, strength, and genius in one beautifully balanced package. These performances, from the hilarious "Surprise" Symphony to the forceful C minor Symphony, to the rambunctious B flat major Symphony, are bound to delight. Columbia's stereo sound was superlative for its time—clean, clear, and vivid—and Sony's digital remastering retains these qualities.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 2
(Franz) Joseph Haydn Composer Symphony No.93 in D, Hob.I:93 Work Recorded 1968 23:13 Cleveland Orchestra Orchestra, George Szell Conductor
1	1.Adagio. Allegro assai	8:13			$0.99
2	2.Largo cantabile	5:36			$0.99
3	3.Menuetto: Allegro	4:44			$0.99
4	4.Finale: Presto ma non troppo	4:40			$0.99
(Franz) Joseph Haydn Composer Symphony No.94 in G ('Surprise'), Hob.I:94 Work Recorded 1967 24:05 Cleveland Orchestra Orchestra, George Szell Conductor
5	1.Adagio cantabile. Vivace assai	9:38			$0.99
6	2.Andante	6:25			$0.99
7	3.Menuetto: Allegro molto	4:14			$0.99
8	4.Finale: Allegro di molto	3:48			$0.99
(Franz) Joseph Haydn Composer Symphony No.95 in C-, Hob.I:95 Work Recorded 1969 20:27 Cleveland Orchestra Orchestra, George Szell Conductor
9	1.Allegro moderato	6:53			$0.99
10	2.Andante cantabile	5:33			$0.99
11	3.Menuet e Trio	4:32			$0.99
12	4.Finale: Vivace	3:29			$0.99
CD 2 of 2
(Franz) Joseph Haydn Composer Symphony No.96 in D ('Miracle'), Hob.I:96 Work Recorded 1968 23:10 Cleveland Orchestra Orchestra, George Szell Conductor
1	1.Adagio. Allegro	7:10			$0.99
2	2.Andante	6:56			$0.99
3	3.Menueto e Trio: Allegretto	5:31			$0.99
4	4.Finale: Vivace assai	3:33			$0.99
(Franz) Joseph Haydn Composer Symphony No.97 in C, Hob.I:97 Work Recorded 1969 28:01 Cleveland Orchestra Orchestra, George Szell Conductor
5	1.Adagio. Vivace	8:52			$0.99
6	2.Adagio ma non troppo	9:37			$0.99
7	3.Menuetto e Trio: Allegro	4:15			$0.99
8	4.Finale: Presto	5:17			$0.99
(Franz) Joseph Haydn Composer Symphony No.98 in Bb, Hob.I:98 Work Recorded 1969 27:01 Cleveland Orchestra Orchestra, George Szell Conductor
9	1.Adagio. Allegro	8:41			$0.99
10	2.Adagio cantabile	6:11			$0.99
11	3.Menuetto e Trio: Allegro	5:56			$0.99
12	4.Finale: Presto	6:13			$0.99